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Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Conspiracy theorist reprimanded by coroner at inquest into daughter's death
A University of Cambridge graduate who refused chemotherapy wrote in statements before her death that she was 'anti-vax' and always turned to her mother first for health advice, an inquest has heard. Paloma Shemirani, 23, died at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton on July 24, 2024 after declining the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. She grew up in Uckfield and attended Roedean School for sixth form. Her mother, Kay 'Kate' Shemirani, rose to prominence on social media while sharing Covid-19 conspiracy theories, the inquest at Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, heard previously. In written statements submitted to the family division of the High Court in Spring 2024, Paloma said she declined chemotherapy partly because of her 'background in natural healing', the inquest heard on Monday. The proceedings, which involved the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, were on the appropriateness of her care and Paloma said she was 'delighted' with her alternative treatment and 'sure' she would 'make a full recovery' if left to continue it, the inquest was told. She also claimed her human rights had been violated by NHS practitioners in the statements, which were read by lawyer Alison Hewitt. Ms Shemirani, who attended the inquest via video link, wept and held pictures of Paloma to the camera as they were read. It said: 'I am far from being a vulnerable young adult. Apart from becoming independent after I moved to Cambridge for university, I have practised the same principles that I grew up with. 'I have always been extremely health conscious: sticking to all-organic produce, I prepare all my own meals and I absolutely do not drink or cook with tap water. 'I have never taken drugs, despite pressure to, and I rarely drink alcohol. 'If I became ill, I've always turned to my mum first for advice as she is a trained nurse and qualified nutritionist. 'Practically fanatical about my health, my close friends know me as a staunch advocate for all proven natural healing'. Gabriel Shemirani, outside Oakwood House in Maidstone, Kent, for the inquest into the death of his sister (Image: PA) She also described her mother as 'an extremely forceful advocate for natural health' who is 'misquoted' by people claiming 'those natural solutions are conspiratorial'. Ms Shemirani was struck off as a nurse in 2021, with a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) committee finding that she had spread Covid-19 misinformation that 'put the public at a significant risk of harm', the inquest heard previously. Another statement in Paloma's name added 'my friends know me as a staunch advocate of the Gerson therapy' and she stated that she is 'anti-vax'. She said she had been using Gerson therapy as one mode of treatment on the advice of her mother's ex-fiancé, Doctor Patrick Villers, and that at 15 years old she spent three weeks in his camp in Mexico where it was practised. Gerson therapy involves a strict organic vegetarian diet and enemas and has been used in cancer treatment, though Cancer Research UK says that there is no scientific evidence it can be used as a treatment for cancer. Her GP was also monitoring her blood and progress, she said. The former Cambridge student went on to deny having the disease and said 'I was not diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma… I have never had a shadow on my lung, this is absurd fantasy, no proof'. She described the diagnosis as 'suspected and unconfirmed', and said a 'differential diagnosis' only meant cancer could not be ruled out. Paloma understood that she had a one in five chance of surviving the commonplace R-CHOP treatment that was offered, and feared it would likely make her infertile, the inquest heard. 'I do not want to undergo such a harsh treatment that could even kill me when there is a possibility this is not cancer', she said. The High Court statement alleged multiple violations of human rights in her care, the inquest heard, including Articles 3, 6 and 8 and possibly Articles 1, 5 and 12. 'I am so shocked, as are others assisting me, especially my mother, that this could take place today', the statement said. 'These were put in place forever to prevent what Dr Mengele did in the Second World War. How could this happen today?', it continued. Notorious Nazi doctor Josef Mengele performed experiments on his victims in Auschwitz. The patient said symptoms she presented in hospital with – including a swollen face, excruciating chest pain and being unable to move her arm – had subsided. Coroner Catherine Wood reprimanded Ms Shemirani multiple times during proceedings. Ms Shemirani cross-examined Dr Amit Goel, a consultant histopathologist at Maidstone Hospital who carried out a biopsy. She repeatedly put to him that insufficient tissue was taken to carry out a FISH test that could rule out other diseases and alter Paloma's treatment plan. The doctor denied that this would have influenced Paloma's care multiple times, and the coroner told Ms Shemirani the inquest is trying to look at 'how Paloma came about her death' but 'you are apparently trying to get information which is incorrect, factually incorrect, in the statements you are making'. 'I think your questions are just designed to take up time and delay matters by the way you're asking them repeatedly,' she added. The mother accused participants of mis-pronouncing her name, which eventually led Ms Wood to say: 'I am going to rise, for Ms Shemirani to reflect on her behaviour in court, this is unacceptable. 'Let's have a pause for tempers to die down because you are clearly becoming over-fixated on a detail.' At the opening of the hearing Ms Shemirani made an application for a lawyer to recuse herself. The coroner rejected the application and said had seen the 'hundreds of emails that have been sent in' and that 'you have requested that everybody recuse themselves at various times', including the coroner herself. The inquest continues.
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Barbara Creecy's passion to serve
She's the 13th occupant of the hot seat in what's probably one of the most complex and burdensome portfolios in government. Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy's got a dry sense of humour. Picture Michele Bega /The Citizen Barbara Creecy has served in government since the dawn of democracy in South Africa. That's 30 years plus change, and presently she's Minister of Transport, a portfolio that some may say is a hand dealt that's guaranteed to fold before the flop. She's the 13th occupant of the hot seat in what's probably one of the most complex and burdensome portfolios in government. 'It's hopefully a lucky number for me,' Creecy said. The Minister is armed with a sardonic, dry wit that's as enjoyable as her warmth that nurtures familiarity. She's the kind of person, it seems, that holds a room not by force, but by intellect paired with affability. And there are no airs and graces. What you see is what you get. Creecy said her almost lifelong marriage to politics has been as demanding as it has been fulfilling. 'It's been fun, it's been difficult, I've learned an enormous amount,' she said. 'I have had a very interesting life.' 'I've had a very interesting life' Creecy is an alumnus of Johannesburg's Roedean School and has been a long-standing member of the ANC's National Executive and Working Committees. Her political career dates back to 1979, when she joined the ANC, then banned, while a student at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University). There she graduated with an Honours in political science before completing a Master's in public policy and management at the University of London. Creecy was a founding member of the United Democratic Front in 1983, and operated within the ANC underground, spending time in exile in 1988 in the then Soviet Union. She began her career in the post-1994 government in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 1994, where she was first elected as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Gauteng. She spent ten years there, helping to shape what later became South Africa's national oversight framework. 'We developed a concept of parliamentary oversight that was different from the forms that exist elsewhere in the world,' she said. 'It included quarterly performance reviews of departments and entities, not just the budget.' A career of achievement During that period, she chaired both the Social Development and Education Committees. In 2004, she joined Premier Mbhazima Shilowa's provincial Cabinet as MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, a role she held during the lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2009, she moved to the education portfolio, focusing on performance improvements in township schools. 'We worked on turning around underperforming schools in Soweto and other communities,' she said. ALSO READ: Two South Africans, one laptop and a billion-rand travel company. By 2014, she was appointed MEC for Finance in Gauteng. Her team introduced the Gauteng Open Tender System and worked on initiatives to integrate township businesses into both public and private supply chains. 'We did a lot of work supporting Premier Makura on developing township enterprises,' she said. In 2019, Creecy moved to national government, taking up the Environmental, Forestry, and Fisheries portfolio. There, she worked on the Climate Act and international climate financing agreements. In 2024, she was appointed Minister of Transport. Here she oversees 16 entities and eight departmental branches. It includes problem children like Transnet, Prasa, SAA, and other industries that would be a headache to most. Creecy isn't fazed, but noted that a single term to get things done is not a long timeline. 'Five years is short. You must have an overarching vision so that you can move the system in a common direction,' she said. A vision with six targets Her vision is defined by six key targets: moving 250 million tons of freight onto Transnet's rail network, achieving 30 gross crane moves per hour at ports, 600 million Prasa passenger journeys by 2030, 42 million annual passengers through ACSA airports, 1.2 million tonnes of air freight, and halving road fatalities by 2030. Progress includes a 9-million-ton increase in Transnet freight, 48 000 more freight units through ports with cranes recommissioned, and 35 of 40 priority Prasa lines restored, enabling 77 million passenger journeys so far with a target of 116 million this year. Road accidents dropped 9% and fatalities 11%, attributed to coordinated enforcement at hotspots. Creecy said she does not intend to stay in public office beyond the current term. 'I think it will be time for me to retire,' she said. 'But I enjoy this portfolio now. It is intellectually stimulating and fast-paced.' Her daily routine is dominated by work, with time scheduled for exercise and healthy eating. 'I'm very health-conscious. Protein, vegetables, and a little fruit, definitely no carbs,' she said. Spare time is often reading time, particularly policy-related material. 'I've been reading books on rail reform,' she said, citing The Pig That Flew and Switchpoints, which detail the Canadian rail turnaround. 'They're not entirely synonymous with our challenges, but they are useful case studies.' The Minister has two children and is divorced. Her son is actively involved in nature conservation in Mpumalanga. She regrets nothing and is somewhat philosophical about the daily grind. 'I chose this work,' she said. 'Nobody forced me. I believe I can make a difference.' NOW READ: Husband and wife team rely on talent
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Strike held at Roedean School in East Sussex
Strike held at private all-girls school 8 minutes ago Share Save Joshua Askew BBC News, South East Share Save Getty Images The union said it was willing to negotiate Strike action has gone ahead at a private all-girls school in East Sussex. Teachers and support staff at Roedean School in Brighton walked out on Tuesday amid a continuing dispute over remuneration. James Armstrong, regional support officer at the National Education Union, said the "last thing" teachers wanted to do was go on strike, but they felt forced to take action due to "detrimental" changes to pay and pensions. A spokesperson for Roedean School said they regret "some staff were taking strike action". "The school has put in place a comprehensive plan to ensure the impact on our students is kept to an absolute minimum," they added. "We remain open to discussing our proposals further with colleagues and working together towards a constructive resolution to this matter." James Armstrong Roedean charges up to £19,350 per term for full boarding Strike action at Roedean - which charges up to £19,350 per term for full boarding - was planned in April, though it was called off after the school's management agreed to put a new union offer to its governing body. Mr Armstrong told BBC Radio Sussex the union was "really trying to come up with compromises," adding the walkout was the first in the school's 140-year history. Further strikes at the school are planned for 7, 13, 14 and 15 May, with pickets set to take place on these dates. Roedean previously said it was "currently looking at how to manage costs in a fair way that does not impact on the overall high quality of education". It added: "Roedean School has not been immune to the significant cost pressures the sector has faced in recent years." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brighton school staff to strike over job and pension cuts
Staff at a Brighton school are set to go on strike over proposed job and pension cuts, the National Education Union (NEU) staff and teachers at Roedean School are due to strike over a proposal of 28 redundancies as well as pay cuts following a NEU said the school trustees also recommended a cap on the school's contributions to Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS) at 22% and to incorporate the "fire and rehire" procedure in contracts. Roedean School has been approached for comment. Phil Clarke, regional secretary of the NEU, said they are calling for both the "fire and rehire" idea and compulsory redundancies to be withdrawn. Mr Clarke said: "NEU members do not engage in strike action lightly, but it is clear industrial action is their only option in this situation."The current TPS contribution the school pays is 28.68%. Should the revised pension contribution cap be approved, the NEU says teachers either have to fund the difference via reduced take-home pay or move to a "proposed inferior private contribution scheme"."With the cost-of-living crisis, more support staff are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to live close to the school, and so the changes proposed by the employer are simply unacceptable," Mr Clarke added. Roedean School was founded in 1885 and it is an independent school for girls aged 11 to strikes are due to take place on 30 April and 6, 7, 13, 14 and 15 May.
